Ajax have confirmed Mohammed Kudus has been the subject of transfer interest this summer amid links with Arsenal and Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer. The Gunners are reportedly in the market for a right winger to conclude their summer business, while the Blues are still targeting attackers are selling the likes of Christian Pulisic and trying to offload Hakim Ziyech.
A fee of around £40million has been floated for a play who scored 18 goals from midfield last season. According to reports on Friday, Kudus would prefer to join Arsenal over Chelsea due to the offer of Champions League football.
Speaking to Ajax Life, Ajax sporting director Sven Mislintat, who used to work for Arsenal, says there has been contact over signing Kudus but no official bid has been submitted.
“There are clubs that have informally enquired about him,” he said.
“I don’t expect an offer very soon, although you know that things can be different in the football world. Perhaps the interest in not as serious as everyone thinks.”
Mislintat says Ajax are powerless to stop players leaving should their asking prices be met, but warned that figures will increase the longer potential suitors wait.
“There is no fixed deadline, but there are agreements we must have to get replacements if we have not already done so proactively,” he told Aglemeen Dagblad. “Their stay or sale also depends on what we will do next.
“The best thing for is if Kudus and [West Ham target Edson] Alvarez stay, then we keep two top players. But it is also possible that one goes, or both.
“It is important for us that the relationship with the players remains good. This can be done by being transparent and applying good principles. As we get closer to the deadline, the transfer fee, for example, goes up.”
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